Regular preventive dental care and a good daily oral hygiene routine are key to maintaining long-term dental health. Together, they can help you avoid complex issues related to the form and function of your smile. Routine visits to our Media, PA dental office allow our team members to spot developing concerns in their earliest stages. Catching problems sooner than later ensures we can treat you as effectively as possible.
Dr. Gregory Hillyard and Dr. Alexandra Monroe offer conservative treatment measures for patients with various dental concerns in Media, PA. Below, learn more about the details of these common concerns and the comprehensive and comfortable in-office solutions we offer patients.
Common Dental Concerns in Media, PA
Bleeding gums, teeth grinding, crooked teeth, and missing teeth are all common dental concerns. They affect the health, function, and comfort of your smile. We recommend that you schedule an appointment with one of our experienced dentists at the first sign of a problem. This often allows us to recommend more conservative options and can prevent permanent damage to the teeth and gums. Early dental care can also prevent the need for more costly dental treatments in the future.
Dental concerns we treat in our office include:
Bleeding Gums
Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth or chew hard foods? Regularly bleeding gums can be a sign of early gum disease. Dr. Hillyard and Monroe can evaluate your gums, check for infections, and treat the underlying cause of gum disease in their Media, PA dentist office.
We offer dental cleanings, scaling and root planing, and restorative and cosmetic solutions. These treatments offer a deep clean beneath the gums and smooth down inflamed and irritated tooth roots.
We will also recommend techniques you can use at home to brush and floss properly. You can reverse gingivitis or gum inflammation. However, if gum inflammation progresses, you may need regular deep cleanings to treat reinfection.
If you want more information on how we treat bleeding gums, please visit Bleeding gums treatment.
Bruxism
Also known as teeth clenching and grinding, bruxism affects millions of Americans. While occasional teeth grinding is not harmful, constant teeth grinding can damage tooth enamel. It can also cause other complications.
Common signs of bruxism may include jaw pain, headaches, and tooth sensitivity. Severe symptoms include fractured or broken teeth or severely worn tooth enamel.
Our dentists offer several treatment options to stop teeth grinding and repair damaged teeth. Night guards, clear braces, and restorative dentistry can stop teeth grinding and repair severely damaged teeth. Once you stop grinding your teeth, we will recommend treatments to repair your teeth. Bonding or crowns can cover broken or worn teeth.
In addition, if you correct an unbalanced bite, it can reduce your risk or frequency of tooth grinding. We will recommend braces or Invisalign if you have crooked teeth that affect your bite.
Crooked Teeth
If you have crooked and misaligned teeth, we may recommend clear braces. ClearCorrect and Invisalign can straighten teeth over time. Both of these treatments use clear plastic aligners that are custom-fit to your teeth.
You can replace these aligners every few weeks to realign your smile. If your teeth are not severely misaligned, you can improve the aesthetics of your smile with a dental crown, tooth bonding treatment, or dental veneers. These treatments can cover worn, chipped, and cracked teeth.
In some cases, treating your crooked teeth can prevent bite problems like TMD. For this reason, we recommend treatments for crooked teeth.
Missing Teeth
Dr. Hillyard and Dr. Monroe offer the latest techniques, quality materials, and experienced care to replace missing teeth. From bridges to implant dentistry, they can restore your smile and improve your quality of life.
You should replace missing teeth early, because your remaining teeth may shift to fill in the tooth gaps. This may result in overcrowding, which makes it difficult to clean between teeth. Plaque can then build up and lead to problems like tooth decay and gum disease.
You can also lose your natural jaw bone after you lose a tooth. Without support from the natural tooth, your jaw bone begins to recede. As a result, you can experience facial sagging. We will recommend dental implants to support healthy jaw bone and restore your facial structure.
What Do I Do in a Dental Emergency?
Not all dental concerns are dental emergencies. However, if you have sudden pain or have damaged or lost a tooth, please contact us immediately for emergency dental care and advice.
You have multiple options to manage pain at home. A warm salt water rinse will help reduce swelling. You can also take pain medication before you get to our office. If you lose a permanent tooth, you can place it in a cup of saliva. When you keep your tooth moist, we may be able to reattach it.
Bleeding gums are a common sign of gum disease. You will not need emergency care if your gums bleed when you brush and floss. However, if you experience excess bleeding, contact us.
If you have a dental concern but do not need urgent dental care, contact us to make an appointment. At your visit, we will examine your teeth and gums. We will also take X-rays and digital imaging as needed.
Whether you have an emergency or not, we will ensure you get the right care to fit your needs. We will find solutions to your dental problems that match your budget and goals. Our team will create a custom treatment plan that often includes in-office and at-home care to keep your oral health in check.
What are the early warning signs of gum disease beyond bleeding gums?
Early signs of gum disease can include persistent bad breath, red or swollen gums, and tenderness when brushing. You might also notice gum recession, where the gums start pulling away from the teeth, or a change in how your teeth fit together when biting. Loose teeth or increased tooth sensitivity can also appear in more advanced stages. Catching these symptoms early allows for quicker, more effective treatment.
How do I know if teeth grinding is damaging my enamel?
Look for signs like flattened or worn-down biting surfaces, chipped edges, or increased tooth sensitivity. You may also notice jaw soreness, headaches in the morning, or tension in your face. Dr. Hillyard can detect enamel wear during an exam and may recommend a night guard to prevent further damage. If left untreated, grinding can lead to cracks and even tooth fractures over time.
How often should I come in for scaling and root planing if I have chronic gum disease?
If you have chronic gum disease, most dentists recommend scaling and root planing every 3 to 4 months. These visits help manage inflammation, remove plaque below the gum line, and prevent further bone loss. Your exact schedule will depend on how severe your condition is and how well you respond to treatment. Skipping maintenance can allow bacteria to return and reverse progress.
Is it normal to have tooth sensitivity after getting a crown or bonding?
Yes, mild sensitivity is common after a crown or bonding and usually fades within a few days to weeks. You might feel discomfort with hot, cold, or pressure while your tooth adjusts. Let Dr. Hillyard know if the sensitivity doesn’t improve or becomes painful. Sometimes, a minor adjustment to the bite or additional care is needed.
Will treating crooked teeth help reduce my risk of gum disease or decay?
Yes, straightening your teeth can make brushing and flossing easier, reducing plaque buildup and lowering your risk of decay and gum disease. Misaligned teeth often create hard-to-reach areas where bacteria can thrive. Orthodontic treatment can improve your oral hygiene and make long-term maintenance more effective. It’s a preventative step that supports both function and health.
Can I replace a missing tooth even if it’s been gone for years?
Yes, even if a tooth has been missing for years, it can still be replaced with a bridge, denture, or dental implant. If there’s been significant bone loss, you might need a bone graft to support an implant first. We will assess the area with imaging to see available options. Restoring the gap helps protect nearby teeth and improve your bite.
Get Routine Dental Care
Do you have a current dental concern? Dr. Hillyard and Dr. Monroe provide thorough dental exams to find and treat the root cause of dental problems. Call to treat your dental concerns in our Media, PA dental office at 610.566.0291. You can also schedule an appointment with us online.
We welcome you to discuss your dental concerns and cosmetic goals. If you have any questions, let us know at your next visit.